IQWiG now finds added benefit for Provenge

Reversing a previous negative opinion, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has now come out in favor of now defunct Dendreon’s Provenge (sipuleucel-T) for the treatment of men with metastatic prostate cancer who have few or no symptoms and do not yet require chemotherapy.

In the dossier assessment conducted by the IQWiG earlier this year, no added benefit could be derived for sipuleucel-T (The Pharma Letter January 22), rights to which have recently been acquired by Canada’ Valeant Pharmaceutical International (TSX: VRX) from bankrupt Dendreon (TPL February 11).

In an addendum, the Institute now examined information subsequently submitted by the manufacturer in the commenting procedure: According to the findings, there is an indication of added benefit; however, the extent is non-quantifiable.